Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez is being investigated by police in connection with a Massachusetts homicide. / Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who is being investigated in connection with a Massachusetts homicide and is being sued by a man who alleges Hernandez shot him in the face, was recently involved in a Providence night-club incident during which a man ditched a gun, according to a police report obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

According to the report of the incident, dated May 18, Hernandez was being harassed for several blocks by the subject, who yelled out, "(Expletive) the Patriots. I'm a Jets fan."

Fearing the situation would escalate as Hernandez was being followed by a large crowd, police intervened and detained several subjects who had been following Hernandez to his vehicle, according to the report, which indicates police allowed Hernandez to leave the scene.

Police say they then spotted a "heavy-set black male" discard a firearm under a vehicle. The man fled, but police say they seized the weapon, a .22-caliber Jimenez with no round in the chamber and several cartridges in the magazine. The report does not indicate whether the man was with Hernandez at the club.